Jonzac

Visit Jonzac, Poitou-Charentes

The town of Jonzac is situated at the southern end of the Charente-Maritime department, between Saintes (40km north) and Bordeaux (70km south). With a history dating back at least to the ancient romans, the town has in recent decades reinvented itself as a popular spa and leisure centre.

Away from the spa there are also some interesting buildings in Jonzac based around its lively town centre.

Exploring Jonzac

Water and spa

Jonzac is perhaps best known for being a spa town, and although the spa waters were first discovered only 30 years ago, several thousand visitors a year now visit to receive the therapeutic benefits of the water from the thermal springs.

More recently a substantial water-based leisure complex has also been opened at Jonzac, known as the 'Antilles de Jonzac' and featuring a lagoon, indoor beach, waterfalls etc.

Buildings and monuments

The most notable building in the town is the Chateau de Jonzac. The chateau was built in the 15th century on the site of an earlier castle that had been destroyed during the Hundred Years War. Extensive changes were made during the 19th century, part of the original castle demolished, and the moat filled in, but significant parts of the medieval castle remain including the two main round towers and several other interesting architectural details. Still in active use, the chateau now houses the town hall and also an archaeology museum(in the cloisters).

The Church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais is a 12th century roman style church with an attractive facade and a nicely proportioned belltower, while another religious monument in Jonzac is the Convent of the Carmes (16th century, now home to a cultural centre).

Elsewhere in Jonzac there are some smaller highlights to discover, such as the medieval houses in the 'Rue James-Scalfert', in the historic part of Jonzac and a gateway through a small remaining part of the towns original defensive ramparts.

The 19th century is best represented by the market hall in Jonzac centre, with a structure based on a metal framework (as popularised at that time by the Eiffel Tower).

Note: photo is copyright

See Poitou-Charentes and Charente-Maritime (the region and department for Jonzac) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Jonzac: Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Jonzac, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pauillac 37km; Saintes 37km; Vertheuil 38km; Talmont 38km; Blaye 40km; Lesparre-Medoc 42km; Meschers-sur-Gironde 42km; Mouthiers-sur-Boeme 45km; Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc 47km; Charmant 49km; Margaux 49km;

Jonzac tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon - remarkable garden (21km) : Eglise de Saint-Germain (Gimeux) - religious monument (22km) : Jardin du Chaigne - remarkable garden (25km) : Eglise de Saint Martin (Gensac-la-Pallue) - religious monument (27km) : Abbaye Notre Dame de l'Assomption de Châtre (Saint-Brice) - religious monument (31km) : Abbaye de Fontdouce (Saint-Bris-des-Bois) - religious monument (36km) : Abbaye aux Dames de Saintes (Saintes) - religious monument (36km) : Upper Church et lower Church de Saint Eutrope (Saintes) - religious monument (37km) :

See more places and a map at places near Jonzac